CM September 2020

OBITUARY
“What I particularly
remember about
Paul was that he was
well travelled and
knowledgeable, and
that ‘wordly-ness’ came
across but not in an
arrogant way. He was
also something of an
aficionado about tea;
he simply loved it and
always seemed to have
a huge variety of teas
available whenever we
met.’’
Barbara Freedman has similar memories
of the bus and Paul’s charm:
“I remember we all went down to Sandown
to the races on the bus – it was such a
happy time. I first came across Paul in the
early 1970s, and we served together on
both the Conference Committee and the
Membership Committee.
“What I particularly remember about
him was that he had style. He was, as Ted
says, very tall and good looking, and a good
ambassador for the Institute. He looked the
part. He was level-headed and charming,
but not a ‘waffler’; if he was chairing a
meeting, he would be very concise and get
to the point quickly.
“What I particularly remember about
Paul was that he was well travelled and
knowledgeable, and that ‘wordly-ness’ came
across but not in an arrogant way. He was
also something of an aficionado about
tea; he simply loved it and always seemed
to have a huge variety of teas available
whenever we met.
“When Roger became Lord Mayor he
made Cancer Research a chosen charity,
and with Roger and Paul we would all attend
various fundraising functions. Paul and
Sally were a delightful and devoted couple.”
Glen Bullivant recalls Paul as being a
consummate professional and a true
gentleman:
“It cannot be all that often that those two
traits go together, being mentioned in the
same breath as it were, but with Paul they
blended naturally like strawberries and
cream.
“Many will be aware of the role he played
at Registry Trust turning something on the
brink of being moribund to a vital tool in the
toolbox of consumer credit professionals
throughout England and Wales. That
could not have been achieved without
his determination and professionalism –
getting County Courts on side and happy
to participate was no mean feat and akin
to navigating a supertanker up the Helford
River!
“It is as a gentleman, however, that I will
remember him from our work together
in the ICM as it then was. As a bit of
an outspoken youngster, he guided me
through the nuances of committee work,
both on Council and in the various working
committees.
“Our backgrounds and working lives
were very different – his was the B2C world
and mine was B2B – but he recognised a
passion for the ICM which he shared and
encouraged. He went out of his way to advise
and to support and though he moved in
the lofty circles of both President and Chair,
he always had time for other people. Though
our paths did not often cross after his
“Paul was a great family man
and his wife Sally was always
a terrific support. He was
also passionate about sport –
especially rugby as an Exeter
Chiefs fan – and living so close
to Twickenham which was like
his Mecca.”
retirement, we did meet from time to time
at functions, and I was touched more than
he ever knew by his kind comments about
my column when I was Chair. He need not
have done that, but he did, and more than
once. That is what I call a gentleman.”
Brenda Linger is another who remembers
Paul’s leadership qualities:
“Paul was a clear, enthusiastic leader who
guided the council well, and had a respect
for the opinions of others. Even though
I know I could be a pain in the neck he
treated me with respect.
“There was one council meeting where I
quite clearly disagreed with him, however
he contacted me afterwards to make sure
that I was ok with the result of the vote
(what the problem had been is lost in the
sands of time).
“I have a couple more clear memories
of Paul: the first when he was chairman of
the institute and I was fairly newly-elected
to council and known for asking too many
questions – there was one particular council
meeting when the majority of attendees
were on various schedules and when it came
to the AOB he asked the question ‘there is no
other business is there Brenda’?
“Paul presented me with my Meritorious
Service Award at the Annual Dinner at
the Mansion House in London, and he
introduced me as the Spice Girl of the CICM
– a great compliment!”
“Many will be aware of the role
he played at Registry Trust
turning something on the brink
of being moribund to a vital
tool in the toolbox of consumer
credit professionals throughout
England and Wales. That
could not have been achieved
without his determination and
professionalism.’’
Advancing the credit profession / www.cicm.com / September 2020 / PAGE 53